16. Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Elena
I play the words on repeat in my head. Alex moved his items into my room. Alex wanted to stay with me. In the smaller suite with far less luxury. But Alex chose to move himself rather than uproot me. The significance of the gesture is not lost on me.
We stand on the deck of the boat that Alex’s security team rented to handle transporting Gregor. As we head to Kodiak Island, a sense of belonging I haven’t experienced in years. The salty sea air whips through my hair, and I breathe deeply, savoring the scent of home.
Alex stands beside me with his hand resting on the small of my back, his strong presence a comfort in the face of the return. We’ve been through so much together, and yet, there’s still a part of me that fears what the future holds.
“What are you thinking about?” Alex asks, his deep brown eyes searching mine.
I hesitate, unsure of how to put my feelings into words. “I’m thinking about us,” I finally say. “About how far we had to go to return here. To this island.”
Alex nods, his gaze drifting out to the horizon. “It won’t be easy,” he admits. “Taking on the role of Alpha, dealing with the aftermath of Gregor’s death, and trying to restore balance to the island...it’s a lot to handle.”
I reach out and take his hand, intertwining our fingers. “You’re not alone in this, Alex. I’m here.”
He turns to face me, his expression softening. “I know,” he murmurs.
I close my eyes as Alex pulls close. His strong arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer, and his lips meet mine in a way that makes the world fade around us. There is nothing else in the world but him, me, and this moment.
My body is flush against his. His fingers trail up and down my spine while his tongue glides against the seam of my lips, teasing and begging for entry. I part my lips, and our breaths mingle as muffled moans mix with breathless whispers. His grip on me tightens, burning desire clear in his touch as one hand cups my breast through my shirt, squeezing. I gasp into the kiss, arching into the touch.
My fingers slip into his dark, wavy hair, tangling in the strands as I explore the roughness of his scalp with my nails. He deepens the kiss, his tongue pressing into my mouth, tasting me thoroughly as he takes more and more. I submit to him, my body melting into his, hungry for more. I stroke my tongue against his, revealing my passion and eagerness, telling him without words how much I want this. He growls in response, a low rumble that vibrates against my lips. It only serves to fuel my desire.
His firm grip on my waist tightens, pulling me against him as his tongue dives deeper into my mouth. I arch my back to get closer to him. I can feel his hunger for me, and it drives me to the edge.
Too soon, the sound of one of Alex’s security team members calling out that we’ve reached the dock of Kodiak Island pulls us from our bubble. We break apart, both of us breathing heavily.
* * *
I walk beside Alex down the dock, our fingers intertwined. The security team trails behind us, carrying Gregor’s body with solemn respect. The Archipelago Pack gathered on the beach, their faces etched with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
As we reach the end of the dock, Alex steps forward to address the crowd. “Gregor met me on the mainland,” he begins, his voice carrying across the shore. “A challenge ensued, and I emerged victorious.” His words are met with a hushed silence, the moment weighs heavy in the salty air.
“I have returned to claim my rightful place as Alpha of the Archipelago Pack.” Alex’s declaration rings out, strong and clear. I stand beside him, a pillar of support, as I survey the faces of the Pack members.
What I see makes me pause. Tattered clothes hang from thin frames. Their gaunt faces with eyes hollow with desperation. Cassandra’s actions in this light are almost heroic. She would have sacrificed herself, her own shot at happiness to try to help her Pack.
My heart clenches as I realize the true extent of the Archipelago Pack’s plight. The situation is far more dire than I had anticipated. The once-thriving community has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, struggling to survive in the face of an unknown adversity.
I squeeze Alex’s hand. He pauses for a moment, then squares his shoulders and continues. “Gregor fought valiantly. Today, we will honor his life with an Archipelago Pack burial bonfire and feast. Tomorrow, we start addressing the weakened environment of the island and the prey that used to live here.”
Anna, Gregor’s mate steps forward from the group. Her gait unsteady. She looks like a shadow of the woman who helped to raise me, but her head is still held high. She is not approaching with fear or shame.
“And then you’ll return to your mansion. In Seattle.”
“No. My home will be here,” Alex says without hesitation. “I made that decision when I fought the challenge.”
“And what about you?” She turns to me. Her voice sharp. Her eyes hard.
“I’ll stand with my mate.”
Her shoulders fall as though relieved. “I hoped you’d say that,” she says as she pulls me in for a hug. “I told him he was stupid to send you away. All of our problems, every single one of them, can be traced back to the day he sent you to the Polar Bears.” Her tears stain the shoulder of my tank top. “I never wanted him to do it. I told him he shouldn’t. But Gregor. He was a proud Alpha. He wouldn’t listen to me.” Anna looks up at Alex. “Now, you do right by her. You claim her. And when she tells you not to do something stupid. Heed her advice.” Then Anna pulls away and makes her way back to the group. “Let’s start the preparation for the bonfire. It’s the last thing I can do to honor my mate.”
The group walks behind her and disappears into the tree line.
“Take his body to wherever they set up the bonfire. Help. But Anna is in charge. Understood?” Alex orders the security team, who follow in the wake of the Pack. “I believe Anna gave us her last official order as the Alpha’s mate,” Alex says and a dimple appears where he is trying not to smile.